What are Learn its?
‘Learn its’ is a teaching programme used
to help children to become numerate.
Problem solving and word problems cannot
be solved until children can manipulate
and understand how numbers work.
Learn Its are addition facts and times
tables facts. There are 72 Learns Its in
total. 36 addition Learn Its and 36
multiplication Learn Its. These are facts
that children need to learn off by heart,
so when they are asked ‘What is 6+4 ?’
they are able to give the answer as
quickly as they would be able to tell you
their name. As soon as they know 3x5=15
they also know 5x3=15 (This is known as a
‘Switcher’).
What happens in school?
As part of their everyday Numeracy lessons,
Children will take part in fast-paced
activities that are aimed to strengthen
their number fact memory. These sessions
are varied with a sense of fun and
achievement at the core. Activities range
from white board work, flashcards,
‘use
what you know’ sheets, worksheets, songs
and actions.
Big Maths Beat That
Every week the children sit a ‘Big Maths
Beat That’ test. These tests are designed
to be motivating, positive and of course
fun. Every child in every class, sits
whichever test is suitable to their level.
This means that every child gains a sense
of achievement as they work through their
test trying to beat their own test score
from the previous week.
Always try your best to be your best
Our school motto really supports the key
elements of the learn its programme. Of
course the aim is to get to know all of the
learn its, but the effort along the way is
what will make the difference. And it is
Helping your child at home
There is one very important rule when
helping your child learn their ‘learn its’:
NO FINGERS! Remember, these are supposed to
be instant recall facts.
Counting
Practising counting in multiples is the
first step to helping to consolidate number
facts. Why not challenge your child to do
this as they get dressed in the morning,
before breakfast or whilst walking to
school. Make sure your child can count in
multiples not always from zero. For example
counting in 4s from 32.
Learn Its
Allowing time for a learn its practise will
really help in their ‘big maths beat that’
scores.
There really is very little time
to complete each of the tests. Don’t
forget, children need to get full marks on
a test three times before moving on to the
next set of ‘learn its’.
Get involved!
In school, we have had reports of the whole
family joining in. This not only makes it
Example Big Maths Beat That Tests
Foundation Stage
The Foundation stage tests have seven number
sentences to complete in 20 seconds.
Throughout the year, children will need to
learn;
1+1 2+2 3+3 4+4 5+5 1+2 2+3
The class teacher will set the next set of
learn its as and when your child is ready
for it. Remember these must be instant facts
Example Big Maths Beat That Tests
Year 1
The year 1 tests have seventeen number
sentences to complete in 30 seconds.
Throughout the year, children will need to
learn;
2+8, 3+7, 4+6 , 4+2, 5+2, 6+2, 7+2, 9+2, 4+3, 5+3, 6+3 , 6+6, 7+7,
8+8, 9+9
The class teacher will set the next set of
learn its as and when your child is ready
Example Big Maths Beat That Tests
Year 2
The year 2 tests have forty number sentences
to complete in 90 seconds.
Throughout the year, children will need to
learn;
3+8, 3+9, 4+7, 4+8, 4+9 , 4+5, 5+6, 6+7, 7+8, 8+9 , 5+9, 6+9,
7+9, 5+7, 5+8, 6+8 , x10, x5, x2
The class teacher will set the next set of
learn its as and when your child is ready
Example Big Maths Beat That Tests
Year 3
The year 3 tests have twenty four number
sentences to complete in 60 seconds.
Throughout the year, children will need to
learn;
x3, x4, x8
The class teacher will set the next set of
learn its as and when your child is ready
for it. Remember these must be instant facts
Example Big Maths Beat That Tests
Year 4
The year 4 tests have forty two number
sentences to complete in 60 seconds.
Throughout the year, children will need to
learn;
6x6, 6x7, 6x8, 7x7, 7x8, 8x8, x11, x12
The class teacher will set the next set of
learn its as and when your child is ready
for it. Remember these must be instant facts
Example Big Maths Beat That Tests
Year 5 and 6
The year 5 & 6 tests have seventy two number
sentences to complete in 100 seconds.
Throughout the year, children will practise
all 72 learn its.
The class teacher, alongside the children,
will set the learn its learn its to
practise. Remember these must be instant
facts – No fingers!
Programme Overview
Autumn
Term
Foundatio
n
Year 1
Year 2
Spring
Term
Summer
Term
1+1
2+2
3+3
4+4
5+5
1+2
2+3
2+8
3+7
4+6
4+2 7+2 5+3 6+6 9+9
5+2 9+2 6+3 7+7
6+2 4+3
8+8
3+8 4+7
3+9 4+9
4+8 x10
4+5 7+8
5+6 8+9
6+7 x5
5+9 6+8 x2
6+9 5+7
7+9 5+8
x3
x4
x8
6x6, 6x7, 6x8,
7x7, 7x8, 8x8
x11
x12
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5 and 6
All
previous
‘learn
its’
All
previous
‘learn
its’
All
previous
‘learn
its’